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Plague Doctors

As seen in Rue Morgue Magazine!

The Plague Doctors are generally made in sets of 3 or more. They are a mixture of paper mache, paper clay, and fabric. Each one stands approximately 10 to 11 inches tall (depending on posture and if they are wearing their hat). At this moment, all my figures have found new homes.

Historically, Plague Doctors were men in heavy leather masks and cloaks who tended to victims of the Black Plague. While my figures certainly touch on classic elements of the iconic figure, they do not adhere strictly to traditional features or form. Besides taking artistic liberties, I also play on the notion of Doctor as non-human.

They look human, and they mingle with the sick and diseased, but there is no benevolence in their attention to the ill. No pity for the suffering of mankind. They simply chose this form because it was the simplest to replicate, having to only shift their appearance slightly to adapt to an acceptable sight on any street corner so long ago.

Should two of these creatures cross each other's path, there is no greeting, no acknowledgement of their presence. They simply pass by, or hover over the sickly individual on opposite sides of his deathbed.

The only telltale sign that would give away these creatures unearthly origins is their movement: they seem to glide, unable to mimic the cadence of a human step.

Of course, you'd also realize they weren't human if you were to unmask them.